Final salute to a hero

COMRADES of a commando found dead the day after he was promoted have paid tribute to him with a three gun salute at his funeral. Bombardier Steven Walmsley, from Wigan, died days before Christmas after a night out to toast his promotion to lance bombardier.

COMRADES of a commando found dead the day after he was promoted have paid tribute to him with a three gun salute at his funeral.

Bombardier Steven Walmsley, from Wigan, died just days before Christmas after a night out to toast his promotion to lance bombardier.

The 28-year-old was found dead in his accommodation block at the Royal Citadel in Plymouth. He had fought in Iraq and Afghanistan and was regarded as "a role model" by his colleagues.

More than 30 members of his regiment attended the funeral at St Mary's Church, Standish, with his parents Stan and Marie, sister Andrea and his girlfriend Fiona.

The coffin was covered with a Union flag with Steven's green beret placed on top. Six members of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery carried the coffin.

Before the service Steven's father told of the family's sorrow.

Devastating

He said: "It's been devastating, there's a feeling of disbelief and it's been very difficult to explain.

"It's one thing to lose a parent, but you expect your parents to die before you; to lose your son is devastating and very traumatic. We take each day as it comes."

The cause of Steven's death is a mystery and an investigation is underway.

At the funeral service yesterday Father John Johnson said: "Steven lived a full life and his final hours were spent filled with joy at his promotion. We are filled with sadness as he had so much promise and so much to look forward to."

Bombardier Jason Cummings said: "In the bleak devastation in Afghanistan or in the toughest terrain Steven gave everything. He was a role model to everyone."

And Major Phil Oxley said: "He was a great soldier and also a great friend, he was full of character and things will never be the same without him."

Members of the battalion fired a three gun salute at the graveside at Gidlow Cemetery and a bugler played The Last Post.